Animal Footwear for Animal Suspenders and Animal Footwear Paw Insertion Guide

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is canine footwear with features making the footwear suitable for use with canine suspenders. The disclosure also describes multiple features or variations for a canine footwear guide device that makes it easier for attaching both the canine footwear intended for use with suspenders as well as attaching all other footwear whether being used with suspenders or not being used with suspenders.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/673,975 filed on Jul. 20, 2012, and entitled “Canine Footwear for Canine Suspenders and Canine Footwear Paw Insertion Guide,” the contents of which are fully incorporated herein for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to canine footwear and accessories used to facilitate putting animal footwear onto an animal's paw. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a footwear style and type intended for easy placement on the animal paw and leg.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Canine footwear is becoming increasingly popular. Canine footwear serves multiple purposes in protecting canine paws. However, canine footwear has two problems which discourage pet owners from using this paw protective product. One problem is the difficulty of putting the canine paw and leg into the opening of the footwear, the time required, and maintaining enough control over the footwear to be able to pull it completely onto the canine paw and leg. The second problem has been that canine footwear is extremely difficult to keep in place on the dog's foot.

The second problem has been solved recently with the development of canine suspenders that hold the footwear in place. However, the suspenders have placed greater urgency on the first problem and have created a third problem.

The third problem is that canine footwear has been focused on designs and means intended to keep the footwear on the leg in the absence of suspenders. This means ankle openings have been kept tight. Velcro and various buckle straps are there to tighten the footwear grip. This creates the first problem. This leads to the need for footwear that does not have all these straps, clamps and tight fittings. It leads to the need for footwear designed for use with canine footwear suspenders. At least one solution is presented in this disclosure. A preferred footwear concept eliminates all the tourniquet like straps for holding footwear in place and replaces them with highly resilient and wide elastic ankle bands. In general, dogs prefer footwear that has a flexible rubberized bottom and flexible fabric for the body of the footwear, something more like a sock. This type of footwear for use with suspenders is also intended for use with a device that is inserted in the top of the sock to hold the sock open and in place long enough to make it convenient, simple and easy to slip each squirming paw into an otherwise floppy piece of fabric footwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an objective of this disclosure to provide a style of canine footwear for use both with canine footwear suspenders and with a canine footwear paw insertion guide.

It is also an objective of this disclosure to provide multiple variations of an open ended canine footwear paw insertion guide that will make it convenient, easy and fast for pet owners to use canine footwear on the paws of their pets.

These and other objectives are achieved by providing an insertion guide that can be used to hold the top end of canine footwear, socks, or booties, open, steadfast, and convenient for simple, easy, and fast insertion of each paw into each piece of footwear.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the canine footwear of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an opposite side elevational view of the canine footwear of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the canine footwear of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an additional embodiment of the canine footwear of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the canine footwear of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an additional embodiment of a paw insertion guide in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the paw insertion guide of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the paw insertion guide of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a sectional view taken along line 8A-8A of FIG. 8

FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along line 8B-8B of FIG. 8.

FIG. 8C is a sectional view taken along line 8C-8C of FIG. 8.

FIG. 8D is a sectional view taken along line 8C-8D of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an additional embodiment of the paw insertion guide in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a sectional view taken along line 9A-9A of FIG. 9.

FIG. 9B is an alternative sectional view taken along line 9B-9B of FIG. 9.

FIG. 9C is an alternative sectional view taken along line 9C-9C of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the paw insertion guide of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the paw insertion guide of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a sectional view taken along line 11A-11A of FIG. 11.

FIG. 11B is an alternative sectional view taken along line 11B-11B of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the paw insertion guide of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of an alternative paw insertion guide of the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a sectional view taken along line 13A-13A of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the paw insertion guide of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14A is a detailed view taken from FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of an additional embodiment of the canine footwear of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the canine footwear of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the canine footwear of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the insertion guide positioned within associated footwear.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The generalized objective of this patent is to create canine footwear that is easier to use with a Universal Canine Footwear Suspenders and to disclose a device that makes it easier and faster to put that footwear onto a canine paw. Since there are so many variations of canine footwear it becomes essential to offer many variations on this basic device.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1

FIG. 1 illustrates a basic sock style of canine footwear 20 for use with the canine footwear guide and canine suspenders. The body 22 of the sock is any fabric from a fishnet mesh to light nylon, cotton, synthetic fabrics, water proof or heavy insulation. The bottom or sole 24 is a rubberized durable material that resists damage to the bottom of a canine paw. The essential features are the lack of the usual straps, buckles, clamps, etc., that are intended to hold canine footwear in place in the absence of suspenders. The broad elastic ankle band 26 has a Velcro inside liner or similar friction material. The stretchable ankle band and inside friction liner are intended to readily secure this sock footwear to the insertion guide disclosed herein. There is a permanently attached elastic suspender leg strap.

Embodiment 2 FIGS. 2-3

FIG. 2 illustrates a slightly heavier more rigid, more boot-like, more insulated style canine footwear 30. Both the left and right sides of this boot has an opening slit 32 from top of ankle to near the bottom sole. This opening is backed up with a fabric liner 34. The opening is closed with a zipper 36 or Velcro overlay. The zipper or Velcro would allow the boot 30 to provide a secure snug fit, but would not be tightly secured around the leg. When the boot 30 is fitted onto a canine paw either one or both of the side slits 32 may be open. Whether one open slot or both open slots are required for fitting the footwear is immaterial. The boot must still have two side slots 32. At least one slot 32 must be used on one side for one side of the canine, and an opposite side slot must be used on the other side for the other side of the canine. This boot also has at least one elastic canine footwear suspenders leg strap 38.

Embodiment 3 FIGS. 4-5

FIGS. 4-5 illustrate an additional embodiment of the footwear. This footwear 40 is the same in almost as respects as the embodiment of FIGS. 2-3. As in the preceding embodiment, slots 42 are provided on both sides of footwear 40. However, instead of a fabric liner, an elastic liner 44 is provided. This elastic liner 44, has an oval shape and is intended to keep the opening 46 opened while the canine paw is inserted into the footwear 40.

Embodiment 4 FIGS. 6-8

FIGS. 6-8 disclose a paw insertion guide 50. This embodiment is an open ended U-shaped insertion guide 50 for inserting an animal paw into associated footwear. The basic paw guide 50 has three components. A retainer 52 which holds the paw guide in position, a guide chute 54 that guides the paw into the footwear, and an external funnel 56 that gathers the paw together so it slides easily into the footwear.

The guide 50 includes a center portion 52, or retainer, which is inserted into the top opening of an associated the footwear, which may be a shoe, sock or booty. The footwear can be constructed as noted in previous embodiments. In any event, insertion guide 50 assumes footwear with an elastic ankle band as described in connection with the prior embodiments. The elastic of the footwear holds the retainer 52 in place. The paw guide and slide chute 54 inserts down the leg of the footwear to as far as the shoe bottom. This chute 54 may be straight or curved depending on whether it is intended to be inserted into the front, back, or side of the elastic ankle band.

Above the retainer 52 is a U-shaped paw funnel 56 that is intended to gather the toes, nails, fur, and dew claw of each paw together for easy and comfortable insertion into the footwear. The insertion guide 50 can thereafter be pulled out of the footwear by any convenient means such as the grasping the U-shaped paw funnel 56 or an attached tether (not shown).

The basic shape of the retainer 52 is a semi-circle with a short extension at the ends to accommodate larger legs. By leaving one side of the retainer 52 open the paw insertion guide 50 can be removed from the leg even with the footwear suspenders attached. FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate that the various components of the insertion guide 50 all have an opened U-shaped configuration. Namely, the funnel 56, center portion 52, and slide chute 54 have an opened forward end that permits the insertion guide 50 to be easily removed from the footwear once the animal paw has been successfully inserted.

Embodiment 5 FIGS. 9-10

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate an additional embodiment of a paw insertion guide 60. Guide 60 can be inserted at the front of the footwear. It includes a U-shaped body 62 with opposing sides and a central opening 64. During insertion, front of the paw is directed down by an extension 66 positioned at the base of body 62. As such, guide 60 can be inserted at the back of the footwear depending on which is preferred by the user. Looking down on the top view of FIG. 9, body 62 forms an open ended U-Shape that allows both the animal leg and the associated suspenders to be removed through opening 64. The width, height or depth, cross section and surface finish/texture of guide 60 may have numerous variations depending mostly on the wide range of animal footwear available. Guide 60 preferably includes a handle 68 for removing the guide 60 from the footwear after insertion. A tether cord may be attached to and the other end tied to an object such as a wrist bracelet for convenience.

The canine footwear guide 50 is used by inserting the tips 72 of body 62 inside the ankle opening of the footwear. The footwear preferably has an elastic opening that is then stretched over body 62. Tips 72 may be pointed to facilitate this. Likewise, the cross section of body 62 can be chosen to assist body 62 being positioned within the elastic opening of the footwear. These cross sections can be angled (FIG. 9B) or curved (FIGS. 9A or 9C). The outer surface of body 62 may have a rough texture, a Velcro surface, or, a cross section shape that will hold the guide 60 in place in the footwear while the paw and leg are inserted through the opening 64. Extension 66 may assist in guiding the paw into the footwear. Once inserted, guide 5 can be removed by pulling handle 68.

Embodiment 6 FIGS. 11-12

The insertion guide of FIGS. 11-12 is the same in most respects as the prior embodiment. However, this guide 70 has a wider body 72 and a wider front opening 74. Additionally, a number of clips or hooks 76 spaced along the body 72. One clip 76 has an inverted U-shape (FIG. 11B) while another embodiment of the clip 76 as an R-shaped provide (FIG. 11A). In either event, the clips 76 can be secured to the footwear opening to help hold the guide 70 as the animal's paw is being inserted to the footwear.

Embodiment 7 FIGS. 13-14

Still yet a further embodiment of the insertion guide is disclosed in FIGS. 13-14. This embodiment is identical in most respect as the prior embodiment. However, this guide 80 includes a body 82 with a downwardly extending side wall 84. This side wall 84 may be formed from a series of ridges 86. These ridges 86 help hold the elastic ankle of the footwear in place during paw insertion.

Embodiment 8 FIGS. 15-17

FIG. 15 illustrates a basic generalized shoe or sock style of canine footwear 90 for use with the canine footwear guide and canine suspenders. The body of the shoe or sock 92 is any fabric from a fishnet mesh to light nylon, cotton, synthetic fabrics, water proof or heavy insulation depending on warm or cold weather use and depending on indoor or outdoor use. The bottom or sole 94 is a rubberized durable flexible material such as Lexan that resists damage to the bottom of a canine paw. The bottom of this sock or shoe includes a liner 96 a soft, velvety, fleece, or moldable filling material in the toes. The mesh 98 overlaps the edges of liner 96. The molded toe guard anchor frame 102 has a rim around the back and side of the shoe or sock to seal the body fabric 98 to the inside liner material 96 and resists wear from the canine paw. The essential features are the lack of the usual straps, buckles, zippers, clamps, etc., that are intended to hold canine footwear in place in the absence of suspenders. The broad elastic ankle band 104 attaches to the body fabric 98, prevents snow, sand, soil and other particles from entering shoe or sock and is attached to the canine footwear suspenders. The stretchable ankle band and its inside friction liner are intended to readily secure this sock footwear to the insertion guide disclosed herein.

FIG. 18 illustrates the insertion guide 50 in position within footwear 30. It will be understood that any of the insertion guides described herein (50, 60, 70, 80) can be used in connection with any of the footwear described herein (20, 30, 40, or 90). Moreover, the insertion guides (50, 60, 70, 80) can also be used with other conventional animal footwear. With reference again to FIG. 18, slide chute 54 is not visible as it has been inserted into the top of footwear 30. Specifically, retainer 52 is received within the top elastic band around the upper periphery of the footwear. The animal paw can then be easily inserted into the shoe with the aid of funnel 56 and chute 54. The guide 50 can thereafter be easily removed from the footwear 30.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above descriptions of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for protecting the paw of an animal, the system comprising: animal footwear, the footwear including a closed bottom and an opened top, a slit formed along the side of the footwear, a zipper formed along the slit for selectively opening or closing the slit, a fabric liner positioned within the footwear and along the slit, the fabric liner protecting the animal paw during the opening and closing of the zipper, a leg strap for securing the animal footwear to a suspender; an insertion guide, the insertion guide including a lower, arcuate slide chute, an upper funnel, and a retainer positioned between the slide chute and funnel, the retainer position positioned within the opened top of the animal footwear with the lower slide chute being positioned within the footwear and the funnel positioned over the footwear, whereby the animal paw can be guided into the footwear with the aid of the funnel and chute.
 2. A system for protecting the paw of an animal, the system comprising: an animal shoe from predominately formed a fabric material, the shoe including a closed bottom formed from a rubberized material and an opened top formed from an elastic band; an insertion guide, the insertion guide including body potion that is adapted to be retained about the elastic band and a lower chute for guiding the animal paw into the shoe.
 3. The system as described in claim 2 wherein the insertion guide comprises an upper funnel, a lower slide chute, and a retainer positioned between the slide chute and funnel, the retainer position positioned within the opened top of the shoe with the lower slide chute being positioned within the shoe and the funnel positioned over the footwear, whereby the animal paw can be guided into the shoe with the aid of the funnel and chute.
 4. The system as described in claim 2 wherein the shoe further comprises a slit formed along the side of the shoe, a zipper formed along the slit for selectively opening or closing the slit, a fabric liner positioned within the shoe and along the slit, the fabric liner protecting the animal paw during the opening and closing of the zipper.
 5. The system as described in claim 2 further comprising a leg strap for securing the animal footwear to a suspender.
 6. A device facilitating the insertion of an animal paw into the opening in an article of footwear, the device comprising: a U-shape body having an opened forward end and a closed rearward end, the body adapted to be positioned within the opening of the footwear, the body functioning to hold the footwear open and thereby make inserting an animal paw into the footwear simpler, easier, and faster.
 7. The device as described in claim 6 wherein the body has an elongated, downwardly depending side wall that permits the device to remain stable and in place within the footwear long enough to guide the paw.
 8. The device as described in claim 6 further comprising a handle for lifting the device out of the footwear after the canine paw and leg are inserted.
 9. The device as described in claim 6 wherein the body has a cross section that is shaped to hold the footwear ankle openings in place and further wherein the body has surface finish that will securely hold the footwear ankle opening in place while the canine paw is being inserted.
 10. The device as described in claim 6 further comprising a rounded scoop or chute that helps guide the canine paw into the footwear.
 11. The device as described in claim 6 wherein the body includes sharply contoured ends to prevent the body from slipping when in place.
 12. The device as described in claim 6 wherein the body has an opened forward end to allow removal of the device from around the animal leg. 